NEWPORT captain Simon Raiwalui (pictured) has given the team a major boost ahead of their Heineken Cup campaign which starts at Newcastle on Saturday night.

Raiwalui damaged an arm in the first half against Bridgend and had trouble with it during the game.

It was heavily bandaged and he went for an X-ray examination after the match. But there was no serious damage and Raiwalui will be fit to lead the side against Newcastle, who captured London Irish's unbeaten record yesterday at Reading, winning 22-18.

As ever, their victory was inspired by England and British Lions outside half Jonny Wilkinson, who will be the danger man at Kingston Park on Saturday night. "The X-ray was OK and I've got full movement in the arm. It's fine," said a relieved Raiwalui.

Meanwhile, experienced dual international full back Matt Pini insists the results will come, even in Europe, though admitting Newport's group, containing Leinster and Toulouse as well as Newcastle, is particularly hard.

"It's another tough group. Newcastle will be up another gear. I played against them when I was with Richmond and they're a good side, especially their backs," said Pini.

"They're strong and fast and we'll have to be on our toes, but we're happy with two away wins in a row.

"We've worked extremely hard with extra sessions and it's starting to pay dividends. It's not as if in the other games we purposely went out to lose. "We're getting there slowly. We're playing a very different style and it's going to take a while.

"But we're getting comfortable with it. We've got to stay positive, we're going forward and if we work hard the results will come."

But one Newport player put the whole thing into perspective when he asked: "Are we going to play rugby when the war is on?"

Newport's game at Newcastle kicks off at 6.15pm and will be refereed by Italian A Lombardi.